Sedationagitation
Sedation-agitation refers to the spectrum of a patient’s mental state observed in clinical settings as they move from deep sedation to agitation, most commonly in critical care and anesthesia. Effective management aims to provide comfort and analgesia while preserving safety and the ability to participate in care and neurologic assessment. The approach relies on regular assessment and titration of sedation and analgesia to achieve appropriate target levels.
Assessment and monitoring often use standardized scales such as the Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS), the Richmond Agitation-Sedation
Management strategies emphasize a balance between comfort and safety. An analgesia-first approach is common, with decisions
Risks of poor management include oversedation, which can prolong mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, and agitation,